Fall Fair at Upper Canada Village

Today, September 14th, I attended the Fall Fair at Upper Canada Village, on the last day of the UCV’s season. I visited exhibits under the great tent which displayed agricultural products, preserves and pies, judged fine art, and much more. I visited the Ross House where a quilting bee was in progress and then attended the Quilt Show where the quilts made by villagers during the summer months were displayed. I was particularly awed by the amount of detail in 60th Anniversary quilt which took nearly six summers to complete.

On the steps of Cook’s Tavern, which served as a stage, three young women entertained the public with lively music and songs of the village period. It was also here that I came across four visitors dressed unlike the other villagers, in elaborate Victorian era clothing. They explained that they were Steampunk performers from the Gatineau area. From what I deduced “steampunk” is a term for reimagined history – actual history mixed with a futuristic element. This added a surprise element to the day for sure.

Across the road on the fairgrounds, Magician Steve Baker, who I would also qualify as “Comedian”, did a fine job amusing the audience. Afterwards, from the shade, I listened to the address of the President of the village’s Agricultural Society and then the brass band.

Next followed an interactive Mohawk performance by Rise Up Singers in Dancers where I was surprised to recognize Gutch Salinas, one of the Tlacopan Aztec Dancers who performed at last weekend’s Akwesasne Pow Wow.

I wrapped up my day with the horse and cattle show—though really, it ended with ice cream.

Upper Canada Village is now closed but will re-open in October for Pumpkin Inferno.